Maddi Reese works as a VIP manager at Leva Bonaparte’s club, Republic. She surrounds herself with partying and alcohol, yet never indulges. In fact, the reality TV star has been living sober for nearly 10 years. It’s a highly notable success to say the least.
The multi-faceted Charleston, South Carolina resident has become the star of the show because of her vivacious personality. Maddi certainly can succeed in her professional endeavors without sabotaging her promise to herself to live sober.
Now, Maddi has opened up about her sobriety. What she has to say could ring true for a lot of people.
Maddi wants “that accountability” through sobriety
The Southern Hospitality star spoke to People about living a decade sober and working in Charleston’s hottest nightclub.
“It saved me,” Maddi said of her decision to give up drugs and alcohol. “I look back at my life then and yeah, I don’t know where I would be had I not gotten sober. I’ve learned so much about myself and I’m super proud of the person I am today because of it.”
The Bravolebrity was 16 when she decided to quit partying in April 2014 after four years of abusing alcohol. As Maddi explained in Season 1 of Southern Hospitality, her parents bought a breathalyzer and she “had to switch to drugs.”
“I definitely have had my ups and downs with my sobriety, but right now I’m in a really, really, really strong place,” she explained. “I’m going on 10 years, which is so scary and crazy to me in a way because it went by so fast. But I can only hope the next 10 will be as seamless.”
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle through sobriety
So what keeps Maddi focused on healthy choices when she works in a party environment? It’s all about “enthusiastic sobriety” for Maddi. The concept has the reality TV star embodying the life of the partying without indulging in substances.
“Believe me, on a nightly basis at work, I’m much more worried about trying to navigate my anxiety than I am my sobriety,” Maddi revealed. “It’s a lot of pressure, you know what I’m saying? And I’m always trying to figure out who I can trust, how to deal with the drama, stuff like that. That’s the real stress!”
“I’m super open about it because I want that accountability,” she said of sharing her story with viewers. “I don’t want to be drinking, I don’t want to be using — I know where that road leads me. So talking about it keeps me on that path.”
Indeed, Maddi’s journey has resonated with viewers that have called her “inspirational.” The Southern Hospitality star added, “So many people have been like, ‘I don’t want to drink anymore.’ And it’s so beautiful to see. It really means the world to me, because my story is very unique, but it just shows me how much addiction affects everyone. We all have different stories, but the disease is what ties us together.”
Maddi also said that fans have asked her advice on the process of transitioning to sober living.
“People always ask, ‘What it’s like, going through the program and meetings and steps and everything?’ And I feel it’s really about doing that work on yourself to be better, but also leaning on the people around you for strength. And that community, that’s the most rewarding part. Learning about others, giving back — that’s what fills my heart,” Maddi concluded.
Catch Southern Hospitality, Thursdays at 9/8c on Bravo.
TELL US – WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO MADDI’S SOBRIETY? WERE YOU SURPRISED TO FIND OUT SHE LIVES SOBER AND WORKS AT REPUBLIC? WHAT DO YOU THINK OF MADDI GIVING ADVICE TO FANS?
